The following is a list of cities in Michigan with a population of at least 5,000 based on 1880 U.S. Census data. Historic census data from 1870 and 1890 is included to reflect trends in population increases or decreases.

The following is a list of counties in Michigan with populations of at least 30,000 based on 1880 U.S. Census data. Historic census data from 1870 and 1890 are included to reflect trends in population increases or decreases.

December 1–2 - Police were called to restore order as parishioners at St. Albert's Polish Cathoich Church in Detroit protested the removal of their pastor, Father Kolaskinski, by Bishop Borgess. One man was shot to death on December 24 in continued unrest.[9][10][11][12]

December 3 - The Barnum Wire and Iron Works in Detroit was completely destroyed by fire, a blaze the Detroit Free Press called "the most dangerous conflagration that has occurred in Detroit for many years".[13][14]

December 16 - The murder of Frank Knoch and his family was discovered in the Springwells section of Detroit. The gruesome murders shocked the city and remained a focus of the news for days thereafter.[15][16][17][18][19][20]